Sleep Magic: Sleep Hypnosis & Meditation for Sleep Podcast

Episode: A Hypnotherapist On...Insomnia | Sleep Advice from Jessica Porter

Host: Jessica Porter
Date: January 19, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, hypnotherapist Jessica Porter gently explores the topic of insomnia (though she humorously elects to use the word as little as possible) and reframes our commonly held beliefs about struggling to sleep. Drawing on decades of experience in hypnotherapy, Jessica emphasizes that our bodies are fundamentally designed for sleep, and that much of what keeps us awake stems from learned patterns of anxiety. The episode’s main purpose is to guide listeners into a mindset of relaxation—rather than making sleep a problem to solve, Jessica invites listeners to become experts at relaxing, trusting that restorative sleep will follow.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reframing Insomnia (00:12)

• Intensity of the Word: Jessica opens with an observation on how the very language we use around sleeplessness—words like “insomnia” and “insomniac”—can add a layer of stress and intensity that is counterproductive.
  • Memorable moment: “Ugh. Insomnia. What a horrible word... Even the word carries this intensity, which really isn't helpful.” (00:13)
• Biological Design for Sleep: She reassures listeners that sleep isn’t elusive or abnormal; instead, our very biology is set up for sleep.
  • Quote: “You are designed to sleep. Dear listener, every cell of your body is aching to sleep.” (00:32)
  • Jessica introduces the concept of adenosine, a chemical present in every cell, priming us for rest.

2. Learned Patterns and the Sleep Anxiety Loop (01:32)

• Origins of Sleep Issues: Jessica outlines some common culprits—childhood tension, busy life stages, personal beliefs (“sleep is for losers”)—that can interrupt our natural sleep cycle.
• The Learning Loop: She explains how the brain, especially the subconscious, learns not just positive routines like driving or walking, but also maladaptive patterns—namely, anxiety about sleep.
  • Quote: “Once you feel anxious about sleep, you learn that pattern, and you start to actually improve upon it. It becomes a habitual response.” (02:20)
• Escalation of Anxiety: This anxiety loops into itself; worry about not sleeping triggers adrenaline, which in turn makes sleep even harder.

3. The Limits of Conscious Control (03:40)

• Ineffectiveness of ‘Aiming’ at Sleep: Jessica asserts the futility of trying to force or focus the conscious mind on falling asleep.
  • Quote: “I don't believe awaking consciousness can aim at sleep. It's like light aiming at darkness, or a butterfly crawling back into the cocoon, or treading water in order to float.” (04:28)
• The Paradox of Sleep: The more one tries to “make” sleep happen, the more it recedes. Instead, Jessica suggests a paradoxical approach.

4. The Power of Relaxation – A New Focus (05:05)

• Practice Relaxation, Not Sleep: The practice here is relaxation, which is something we can “aim” at and get better with over time. Through relaxation, we naturally invite sleep.
  • Quote: “Here at Sleep Magic, we are aiming at relaxation... And we are getting better and better and better at relaxation.” (05:38)
• Examples of Relaxation: Jessica highlights everyday ways we already experience relaxation—after a yoga class, enjoying a warm drink, stroking a pet, or connecting with friends.
• Relaxation ‘Switch’: We all have the ability to flip the relaxation switch, consciously or unconsciously.
  • Quote: “You’ve tipped yourself into it many, many, many times, whether you did it consciously or unconsciously.” (06:02)
• Proximity to Sleep: Relaxation “lives right next door to sleep,” so by improving at relaxing, we inevitably improve our relationship with rest.

5. Encouragement & Reassurance (07:15)

• Ongoing Practice: Jessica reassures listeners that repeated exposure and practice will gradually restore their innate sleep rhythm.
  • Quote: “If you hang out here for a while, you will make peace with sleep again. So every single cell of your body can do what it's designed to do.” (03:20)
• Letting Go of Perfection: Listeners are encouraged to release the urgency around ‘fixing’ sleep and focus on developing a more peaceful, skillful relationship with relaxation instead.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “The last thing we need around sleep is intensity. So that's the last time I'm going to use that word.” (00:20)
• "We don't do sleep. Sleep does us." (00:50)
• “The waking mind is pretty crappy at aiming at sleep. I'm sure you know that already. We have to allow sleep. We let go into sleep, but we can't aim at it like some bullseye.” (04:36)
• “You can get better and better and better at flipping it. We cannot aim at sleep, but we can certainly definitely aim at relaxation.” (06:35)
• “This podcast should actually be called Relaxation Magic, but it's kind of clunky.” (07:16)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:12 – Jessica reframes the language and concept of insomnia.
• 01:32 – The roots of sleep trouble and the anxiety loop.
• 03:40 – The subconscious as a learning machine and the inefficacy of 'trying' to sleep.
• 04:28 – The paradox of sleep and why conscious effort fails.
• 05:05 – Introducing relaxation as the true focus.
• 06:02 – Everyday experiences of relaxation and how to get better at it.
• 07:16 – The playful suggestion to rename the podcast "Relaxation Magic."

Conclusion

Jessica Porter’s approach in this episode is gentle, empathic, and wise, helping listeners release the struggle around sleep and instead become students of relaxation. In her words, by practicing and improving at relaxation, we allow sleep to “do us.” This shift from anxiety and forcefulness toward calm and acceptance offers not only a path to better rest, but a new way of relating to oneself at bedtime and beyond.

Listeners are encouraged to become skilled at relaxation, trusting that as relaxation deepens, sleep will naturally and effortlessly return.